Entertainment Article: Chicago TV Shows: Top 5 Dead or Alive!!
Chicago is undoubtedly the crown jewel of the American Midwest (sorry, Indianapolis). Its light shines far and wide and permeates the fabric of our culture, inspiring creative thought, political action, and sweet TV shows.
Yes, the city has produced some of the world’s most significant television shows, which have in turn created some of our culture’s most beloved characters. Here’s a quick rundown of some of my favorites, both new and old.
Good Times
This classic ’70s sitcom brought the lives of the working class Black family into homes around the nation. Very few television shows connected with such a diffuse audience the way that “Good Times” did with its blend of gritty urban drama, heartwarming family dynamic and slapstick comedy. Though the slapstick would ultimately supplant the more serious themes and become the downfall of the series, the show ran for five and a half years and addressed issues facing contemporary urban America such as poverty, underage sex, activism and racism; the show’s title is brilliantly tongue in cheek, and offered the view that despite being surrounded by crime and poverty, the working class family would stick together to find the pleasure in their toil, which was a message many needed at the time.
The show also launched the career of Janet Jackson, which automatically qualifies it for a win in my book.
Cultural Cache: “Dy-no-mite!”
Kenan & Kel
Older audiences may not agree with (or care about) this choice, but that’s why I’m writing and they’re reading. For many late-80s babies, Kenan (Thompson) & Kel (Mitchell) were the first comedic duo that meant anything to them. Their show, appropriately titled “Kenan & Kel”, was a spin-off of the popular (and first) kids sketch show “All That” on Nickelodeon. Their misadventures through the sordid world of adolescence took place in their Chicago neighborhood (where Kel grew up) and resonated with kids in the city and nationwide. The duo would continue in comedy, Kel performing standup and touring, and Kenan landing a spot on the cast of Saturday Night Live.
Cultural Cache: “Who loves orange soda? Kel loves orange soda!”
The Chicago Code
This unfortunately short-lived cop drama set in the Windy City was the first in a long time to actually excite denizens of the city. Filmed completely on location and revolving around a conflicted police department solving crime in the streets, with a special focus on corruption. Despite the prevalence of Chicago in television and blockbuster films (see: Transformers 3), my Chicago crew was completely lost to the charms of Chicago Code, likely because of how accurate the portrayals of “Chicago types” are. Every other character has a degree from Northwestern or Cubs season tickets (which get them in trouble with Sox-loving colleagues).
The show’s focus on corruption is also highly salient, considering Chicago’s ragged political history, most recently with Rod Blagojevich.
Cultural Cache: Didn’t last long enough to accrue any.
Top Chef: Chicago
An eclectic and perhaps indulgent choice, “Top Chef: Chicago” is by far my favorite season of the show. Take the fact that almost every worthwhile contestant on the show has been from Chicago and multiply that by awesome and you have this season. Per Top Chef protocol, this season features appearances by some of Chicago’s most popular icons: the cast of the Second City, Chicago Bears players Gale Sayers and William Perry, and film critic Richard Roeper. The cast prepares meals at all manner of venues from a tailgating party at Soldier Field to ritzy wine-n-dines at an unnamed Chicago hotel. Stephanie Izzard, a Chicago native (corruption?), would eventually become the first and only woman to win Top Chef by destroying every other contestant by far and open up a restaurant in the West Loop called The Girl & the Goat, which serves an unbelievable hiramasa crudo.
Cultural Cache: Seared Quail Breast with Butter Poached Lobster Ravioli and Mango Lobster Sauce.
Family Matters
I’m going to go out on a limb and say that this is the most relevant show for those reading this. Family Matters was born as a spinoff to the mind-boggling “Perfect Strangers” and sees family man Carl Winslow navigating between his alternate lives as a hard-nosed cop walking the beat at the Chicago Police Department and middle class patriarch trying to keep his bizarre nerd neighbor away from his hot daughter. Despite working for Chicago PD, Carl has managed to marry a sweet lady, raise a slew of kids and work himself up to a much different Chicago than we see portrayed in Good Times.
Cultural Cache: “DID I DO THAT?”
Image courtesy of http://chicago-outdoor-sculptures.blogspot.com/
Kristine is quite the homebody. She enjoys crafting, treadmill running and eating peanut butter out of the jar with a spoon. Kristine can’t wait to ring in the New Year and think of a few resolutions to break.
